Piano with Elizabeth A.

I never asked for much as a child, so when I arrived home one day after school asking to play the violin, Mom just couldn't say no. This led to lessons on violin, and a little later, viola. The next year, I decided to start flute and piano lessons on the same week! As a youngster, I wanted to experience all the music I could, and by high school was playing in the school€™'s marching and concert bands, orchestra, percussion ensemble, jazz band, and singing in the chorus. It was during this time I started teaching a few private music lessons, with my teacher'€™s support, and got hooked! My senior year I was asked to perform a solo concerto with the Concert Band, and set a record during Ohio'€™s Adjudicated Event by receiving 4 Superior (I) ratings, all for Class A solos on different instruments. My love of music and teaching led me to enroll in one of the top Music Education schools in the Midwest, Bowling Green State University, where I was awarded a Talent Award Scholarship all four years. I played with the Wind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble and Jazz Band. I had more opportunities to solo during this time, both with the BGSU Concert Band, and with the Findlay Civic Band. Straight out of college I moved to the South and got a job teaching orchestra with the Berkeley County School District, outside of Charleston, South Carolina. There my responsibilities were to the 5th grade beginning string classes, the 6th, 7th and 8th grade string orchestras, and the high school orchestra. I continued to keep a private studio as well. Then I moved back to Ohio to work on my Master'€™s degree at University of Akron, keeping busy with school, private teaching, and playing bass guitar (plus some piano, strings and flute) in a rock band. When my studies were complete, I started teaching general music to grades PreK-8th grade for the Cleveland Diocese Catholic Schools. This experience served me well in the move to the Big Apple. Since moving to New York city, I have taught at KAPPA VII in Brooklyn, Birch Wathen Lenox School and Léman Manhattan Preparatory School, both in Manhattan. During my tenure with these schools I taught both elementary and middle school students. General music, including singing, playing Orff instruments and recorders, group violin class, group piano class, middle school Vocal Ensemble and Rock Band, were some of the classes I taught. During this time I had the opportunity to play with the Brooklyn Conservatory Community Orchestra, and the bands Team Genius and Miwa Gemini. After spending many years teaching in the classroom, I have come back to what I love most, teaching one-on-one and in small groups, working with people who want to learn music. *** Lesson Details *** In my eyes, the most important reason to play music is because you love it. This is why I strive to make all my lessons enjoyable and inspiring. Young students, in addition to learning their instrument, play fun games to teach music fundamentals such as note reading and ear training. We also save time to improvise and compose short pieces of music, because I believe in nurturing creativity in each child. Older students lessons are tailored to your unique strengths and interests. They can include music reading, composing and improvising, recording techniques, reading chord charts and more. My favorite part of teaching is getting to know each student, your personality and interests, and how you learn the best. I can then customize your curriculum so you can get the most out of your lessons. Whether you are the parent of a young child just beginning music lessons, an adult coming back to music after some time off, or anywhere in between, I invite you to contact me so we can discuss how I can help make your musical dreams come true. *** Studio Equipment *** I bring an instrument (except for piano), games and supplies to each lesson. *** Travel Equipment *** Students should have their own instrument, music and accessories, and a music stand. *** Specialties *** Beginning Violin and Piano Lessons for All Ages.